Supportive Personnel; Delineation of Responsibilities

(a)A physical therapist is professionally and legally responsible for patient care given by supportive personnel under the physical therapist’s supervision. If a physical therapist fails to adequately supervise patient care given by supportive personnel, the Board may take disciplinary action against the licensee.

(b)Supervision of supportive personnel requires that the physical therapist perform the following activities:

(1)provide initial evaluation of the patient;

(2)develop a treatment plan and program, including treatment goals;

(3)assess the competence of supportive personnel to perform assigned tasks;

(4)select and delegate appropriate portions of the treatment plan and program;

(5)direct and supervise supportive personnel in delegated functions;

(6)re-evaluate the patient and adjust the treatment plan as acceptable physical therapy practice requires, consistent with the delegated health care task;

(7)document sufficient in-service training and periodic evaluation of performance to assure safe performance of the tasks assigned to supportive personnel; and

(8)provide discharge planning.